How to coach and teach the basketball shallow-cut play

The shallow cut is used considerably in motion offenses; however, you can use it in many patterned offenses just as well. For instance, getting the ball to the wing is the key to starting most offenses.

Shallow Cut

Player 1 dribbles over and shallows 2 off the right wing. Player 2 relocates to the top of the key using the 3-point arc as reference point to help with balance and spacing. Player 1 shoots the jumper from the wing. 5 rebounds and puts back all missed shots.

Shallow Cut - Return Pass

Player 1 dribbles over to the right wing and 2 relocates at the top and steps up for the return pass from 1. He shoots the jumper. (You also need to mix this drill a bit and have player 2 use a shot fake and move with a one-bounce dribble, then shoot or he could drive and dish off to 5 who lays it in.)

Shallow Cut - Drive and Dish

Player 1 dribbles over to the right wing and 2 relocates to the top for a pass from 1. Player 2 comes to meet the pass, catches the ball, squares up, fakes a shot, drives to the elbow, drawing 1's defender and dishes to 1. Player 1 steps up for the shot.

Shallow Cut - From the Wing

Player 2 dribbles to the top and 1 relocates to the wing. Player 1 receives a return pass from 2 and takes the shot.

Shallow Cut - Fake Relocate & V-Cut

Player 1 dribbles at 2, as if to shallow him out to the top. Player 2 begins to relocate, but instead v-cuts, using 5's screen and fades to the corner for a pass from 1 and a shot. (NOTE: Put a defender on 2 and you can make this a good drill in teaching players to read the defense. For example, players 2 and 5 should pass shoulder to shoulder. If the defender follows 2, then 2 should curl. Don't try to hurry, but play it smart, like playing tag around a tree.)

Shallow Cut - Circle and Skip Pass

Player 1 dribbles at 2 who instead of shallowing to the top, continues through the lane to the opposite wing. Player 1 skip passes over the defense to 2 who squares-up for the shot.

Cut Through - V-Cut for Layup or Jumper

Player 1 v-cuts away. He can read the defense and either cut to the basket for a layup or replace himself for a shot.